The fighting broke out at Marka Jilib in the coastal town of Marka, after Somali army forces launched a joint military offensive against small villages held by Al Shabaab, said in a Twitter post by the country’s military.

The military claimed to have killed 13 Al Shabaab militants during the fighting. Meanwhile, the armed group Al Shabaab denies claims made by Somali military. The group said its fighters had seized an armored vehicle during the clash.

Last month, Somali army forces backed by African Union peacekeeping forces re-captured the coastal town from Al Shabaab.